Ernest Tsosie
Ernest David Tsosie III (born 1967), also known as "Ernie Tsosie" is a Diné (Navajo) actor and comedian. He is of the To'ahani, Todich'ii'nii, Tabaaha and Tachii'nii clans. Tsosie's hometown is Window Rock, Arizona.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Tsosie attended Window Rock high school, and later became a graduate of Gallup high school.[1]
Career
[edit]In 2002, Tsosie began working with fellow comedian James Junes, to form the comedy team James & Ernie.[2][3] He has gone on to appear in Longmire, Better Call Saul as well as the Dark Winds television series based on the novels of Tony Hillerman.[4][5] He played the role of Benny Begay in the Netflix series, Rez Ball.[6] He starred in the movie Drunktown's Finest, in the first feature film made by Sydney Freeland.[7]
Tsosie has also served as a motivational speaker at many schools from elementary through high school to promote an alcohol, drug, and commercial tobacco free lifestyle.[8]
Personal life
[edit]Tsosie is the son of Ernest Tsosie, Jr. and the brother of John L. Tsosie; the two of them founded Walking the Healing Path, Inc, an organization with the mission to "end domestic violence and child abuse/neglect in the many homes and families that make up not only the Navajo Nation but the entire US as a whole" and also Project Peace Train.[9][2][10]
Tsosie is married to Miranda Tsosie, and as of 2012, the couple has four children.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Who They Are: Ernest David Tsosie III". Navajo Times. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
- ^ a b Edwards, Jason Morgan (18 November 2014). "Seriously Funny: Comedy Duo James & Ernie Have a Message for Native Youth". Indian Country Today. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
- ^ Clahchischiligi, Sunnie (14 June 2012). "10 Years of Laughs". Navajo Times. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
- ^ "Meet Ernest Tsosie". Canvas Rebel. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
- ^ "James & Ernie". Native Stars Studios. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
- ^ Wittenberg, Alexandra (11 November 2024). "Meet the Diné cast of "Rez Ball"". Navajo-Hopi Observer. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
- ^ Wittenberg, Alexandra (28 October 2024). "Navajo Nation declares 'Rez Ball Day' as Sydney Freeland's film hits Netflix". Navajo-Hopi Observer. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
- ^ "Meet Ernest Tsosie: Actor, comedian and motivational presenter". Shoutout Arizona. 14 December 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
- ^ Edwards, Jason Morgan (4 March 2015). "Navajo Father-Son Team Leads the People Away From Abuse, Toward Peace". Indian Country Today.
- ^ Smith, Noel Lyn (29 September 2011). "Project Peace Train". Navajo Times. Retrieved 13 March 2025.